The Spread of COVID-19 Pre- and Post-Winter Lockdown in Ontario Workplaces & Schools
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The Spread of COVID-19 Pre- and Post- Winter Lockdown in
Ontario Workplaces & Schools
Ontario Health Coalition
Tracking Report Updated to January 30 2021, Released on February 19 2021
Introduction
Since our last update in the beginning of December, the Ford Government implemented a stricter
province wide lockdown. These measures went into effect on Boxing Day, December 26 and included
reducing operating hours for businesses and mandating that employees able to work from home
should do so. Though touted as being a lockdown, it has been left to the discretion of employers to
define who can work from home and who cannot, and critics have pointed out people are still allowed
to shop for non-essential goods, particularly at big block stores that can remain open because they
sell groceries and other goods deemed “essential”.1 The big changes that came with the “lockdown”
were school closures (extended beyond the regular winter holiday) and closures of small stores and
other retail businesses -- excluding those listed as selling essential goods -- and fitness and
recreational businesses including entertainment and culture, services such as salons and spas and
other non-essential services. Analysis of the definition of essential workers has shown that 65% of
workers in the Greater Toronto Area have been deemed essential under the broad guidelines set by
the province and have continued to work on site.2 On a positive note, after December 26 the
message was clear: stay at home. But the directives, measures, regulations and penalties were
decidedly less so.
This report tracks the COVID-19 cases in workplaces, schools and childcare prior to the stricter
lockdown and since, as well as the spread of the virus in the general population. It shows that overall,
cases among the general population actually increased more in January than in December, a very
disturbing finding, but it includes cases, particularly in early January, that likely developed from
transmission of the virus prior to the stricter lockdown on December 26. There is a lag, both in the
development of symptoms and in people getting testing once they have symptoms. On the other
hand, it appears the public health measures may have been somewhat effective in curtailing the
spread of COVID-19 in some workplace settings as the rate of increase has gone down in January, but
there is still a significant increase.
For the four weeks from December 5 – January 2:
• COVID-19 cases in the general population increased 50.43%
• COVID-19 cases tied to workplace outbreaks (outside of health care) increased 47.85%.
For the four weeks from January 2 to January 30:
• COVID-19 cases in the general population increased 75.07%
• COVID-19 cases associated with workplace outbreaks (outside of health care) increased
44.29%.
1
Crawley, Mike. CBC. With new stay-at-home order, Ontario admits previous COVID-19 lockdown was too weak.
January 14 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-19-stay-at-home-order-lockdown-
1.5872521
2
Mojtehedzadeh, Sara. The Star. Who is an essential worker in the GTA? Millions of us, data shows. This is life —
outside lockdown — in five graphs. February 2 2021. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/02/02/who-is-
an-essential-worker-in-the-gta-millions-of-us-data-shows-this-is-life-outside-lockdown-in-five-
graphs.html?utm_source=TwitterFrom December 5 to January 2, the industries which saw the highest growth in COVID-19 cases
associated with a workplace outbreak, calculated from Public Health Ontario data, were:
• Retail (138%)
• Corrections (116%)
• Education (ranging from 59%-105%) Note: these are just the numbers associated with what
the province has defined as a school outbreak, not all school cases which are calculated
below.
COVID-19 cases in the general population grew 50% during that same period.
Since the lockdown started December 26, virtually all of these cases would be associated with pre-
lockdown contagion.
From January 2 to January 30, the industries which saw the highest growth in COVID-19 cases
associated with a workplace outbreak, calculated from Public Health Ontario data, were:
• Corrections (152%)
• Education (Post-Secondary 67%)
• Childcare (64%)
• Congregate care setting (other) (65%) Note: this excludes shelters, group homes, corrections
and short-term accommodations.
• Retail (62%)
• Food processing (43.5%). There have been severe and fatal outbreaks in food processing as
well as the discovery of the UK Variant in a food processing plant at Belmont Meats in
Toronto. 3
During the same period, cases in the general population drastically increased 75%.
Post lockdown, the highest growth has been in industries that did not shut down. In particular, we see
an alarming growth in the spread of COVID-19 in Correctional Facilities. The spread of the virus in
Childcare grew consistently throughout the lockdown and into January. Conversely, the growth in
Retail slowed considerably and became less than the spread of the virus in the general population in
January. The spread in Education also slowed. Though case totals are less than the general population
growth, there have been significant outbreaks in Food Processing. We have seen some increase in
school cases and outbreaks since schools implemented a staggered reopening from January 10 to
February 16.
As of January 30, the province reported an overall test positivity rate of 4% with the highest positivity
being in Peel (9%), Toronto (7.3%), York (6.3) and Niagara (4.3%).4
As of December 2, reported in our tracking report to that date, the overall test positivity rate was
3.9% with the highest positivity rate in Peel (10.3%) and other regions’ positivity rates as follows:
Toronto (6%), York (5.7%), Windsor-Essex (4.3%), Waterloo (3.9%), Durham (3.7%), Hamilton (3.4%)
and Halton (3.3%).
Correctional Facilities
The largest growth of COVID-19 cases in December and January of any sector outside of health care
has been in Corrections. COVID-19 cases in Corrections grew 116% on between December 5 and
3
CBC News. COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto meat plant linked to B117 variant, city says. February 1, 2021.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-officials-update-covid-886-february-1-1.5896069
4
IC/ES. ICES COVID-19 Dashboard. February 5, 2021. https://www.ices.on.ca/DAS/AHRQ/COVID-19-DashboardJanuary 2 (compared to the general population increase of 50.43%) and 152% between January 2 and January 30 (compared to the 75% increase in the general public). 5 6 Not only have cases increased in corrections, the virus has also spread to correctional facilities that were untouched during the first wave of COVID-19 such as Thunder Bay Correction Centre with 58 cases and the Thunder Bay Jail with 28 cases. 7 Some inmates were then transferred to Toronto South Detention Centre. Toronto South Detention Centre previously had their own outbreak in December with 77 cases. Since the transfer, there has been a second outbreak declared with 27 cases associated. 8 The Spread of COVID-19 in Retail Retail COVID-19 cases had increased 138% from December 5 to January 2, compared to the 50% increase in the general population for the same time period. This increase is very likely associated with holiday shopping and the decision of the Ford government to postpone the lockdown to allow holiday shopping. From January 2 to January 30 cases had increased in Retail by 62% when cases in the general public had increased 75%. Some of these cases may have resulted from earlier exposure to the virus, but we can see that there is a very significant decrease in transmission of the virus in retail outbreaks from the worst period of December 5 to January 2. Potentially contributing to the spread of the virus in retail are inadequate safety measures. By January 29, the province had inspected more than 1,000 stores and issued more than 110 tickets for violations including improper PPE, lack of social distancing, exceeding capacity limits and no safety plans in place.9 Among those ticketed were several large chain stores including Walmart and Shoppers which had 5 locations fined, as well as Costco, Sobeys, FreshCo, No Frills, and Food Basics.10 Schools COVID-19 cases in schools were continuing to skyrocket prior to school holiday closures on December 18. Total cases in schools (those counted as “outbreak” by the narrow definition adopted by the province and those not tied to a declared outbreak) grew 35% from December 5 to December 18 compared to the 22% increase in cases in the general public. COVID-19 cases in childcare also continued to grow significantly, increasing 36.5% in that same period. Cases in childcare, which did not shut down, continued to grow throughout the lockdown period. 5 Epidemiological Summary. Public Health Ontario. January 2 2020. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/- /media/documents/ncov/epi/covid-19-weekly-epi-summary-report.pdf?la=en 6 Epidemiological Summary. Public Health Ontario. January 30 2020. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/- /media/documents/ncov/epi/covid-19-weekly-epi-summary-report.pdf?la=en 7 Hasham, Alyshah. The Standard. Five Ontario jails have significant COVID-19 outbreaks. Toronto South Detention Centre outbreak grows to 27 active cases. Friday January 29 2021. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/gta/2021/01/29/five-ontario-jails-have-significant-covid-19- outbreaks-toronto-south-detention-centre-outbreak-grows-to-27-active-cases.html 8 Hasham, Alyshah. The Standard. Five Ontario jails have significant COVID-19 outbreaks. Toronto South Detention Centre outbreak grows to 27 active cases. Friday January 29 2021. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/gta/2021/01/29/five-ontario-jails-have-significant-covid-19- outbreaks-toronto-south-detention-centre-outbreak-grows-to-27-active-cases.html 9 Declerq, Katherine. CTV News. January 29 2021, More than 110 tickets issued to Ontario businesses in connection with COVID-19 violations. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/more-than-110-tickets-issued-to-ontario- businesses-in-connection-with-covid-19-violations-1.5287844 10 Neufield, Abby. Narcity. January 20 2021. https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/news/toronto/ontarios-covid19- enforcement-blitz-fined-walmart-costco-shoppers-drug-mart-stores
The Northern Public Health Units reopened schools as of January 10 and other non “hot spot” Public Health Units have opened schools as of February 1. While the Northern Public Health Units have relatively few cases overall, since returning to school there have been four outbreaks in schools in Sudbury. Among the largest is an outbreak at St Charles College with 22 cases11, St David’s Catholic Elementary School with 13 cases12 and 3 cases associated with an outbreak at Pius XII Catholic School.13 With the Ford Government’s announcement that Toronto, York and Peel will reopen on February 16, there is renewed potential for the spread of COVID-19. This concern is heightened as a result of new research that shows that children under the age of 16 may be more susceptible to the UK variant,14 and the example of Corzano, Italy, where 24 teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 of them were positive for the UK variant.15 Food Processing COVID-19 has also spread dramatically in food processing, increasing 65% between December 5 and January 2 and 43% between January 2 and January 30, with large outbreaks at Conestoga Meats in Kitchener which experienced a second outbreak with 132 cases,16 and, potentially even more troubling, an outbreak at Belmont Meats in Toronto where the B117 variant has been found in 2 of their 78 cases of COVID-19 (other results are being tested for the variant).17 Cargill Meats in Guelph has also had a tragic outbreak with 172 cases and one death connected to the outbreak.18 While lockdown has reduced the growth of transmission in many industries, more has to be done to protect essential and vulnerable workers such as food processing workers, of which 72% of the workers are landed immigrants and make a median hourly wage of $20.19 11 Papineau, Chelsea. CTV News. COVID outbreak declared Sudbury high school, fourth school outbreak January 27, 2021. https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/covid-outbreak-declared-sudbury-high-school-fourth- school-outbreak-1.5284082 12 13 cases reported: Public Health advising entire St. David school community to get COVID-19 tests. Sudbury.com. January 22 2021. https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/13-cases-reported-public-health- advising-entire-st-david-school-community-to-get-covid-19-tests-3285681 13 Papineau, Chelsea. COVID outbreak at another Sudbury elementary school. CTV News. January 25 2021. https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/covid-outbreak-at-another-sudbury-elementary-school-1.5280689 14 Kelland, Kate. Reuters. UK coronavirus variant may be more able to infect children: scientists say. December 21 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-variant-children-idUSKBN28V2F5 15 The Local. Coronavirus: Outbreak of UK variant detected in northern Italy. February 4 2021. https://www.thelocal.it/20210204/coronaviru-outbreak-of-uk-variant-detected-in-northern-italy 16 Hill, Catherine. CTV News. Conestoga Meats continues operating with health measures in place as COVID-19 outbreak hits 132 cases. January 18, 2021. https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/conestoga-meats-continues-operating- with-health-measures-in-place-as-covid-19-outbreak-hits-132-cases-1.5271679 17 CBC News. COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto meat plant linked to B117 variant, city says. February 1, 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-officials-update-covid-886-february-1-1.5896069 18 Khan, Anam. Guelph Today. One of Guelph's COVID-related deaths was connected to Guelph Cargill facility. January 12, 2021. https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/one-of-guelphs-covid-related-deaths-was- connected-to-guelph-cargill-facility-3252043 19 Mojtehedzadeh, Sara. The Star. Who is an essential worker in the GTA? Millions of us, data shows. This is life — outside lockdown — in five graphs. February 2 2021. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/02/02/who- is-an-essential-worker-in-the-gta-millions-of-us-data-shows-this-is-life-outside-lockdown-in-five- graphs.html?utm_source=Twitter 19 Saba, Rosa. Toronto Star. All COVID-19 workplace outbreaks will now be made public. First up: The Well, where 68 workers tested positive. February 3 2021. https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/02/03/all-covid- 19-workplace-outbreaks-will-now-be-made-public-first-up-the-well-where-68-workers-tested-positive.html
Canada Post On January 30 there was a tragic outbreak at a Canada Post distribution facility in Mississauga with 273 employees testing positive for COVID-19 and one worker passing away from the virus. 20 Public Reporting Reporting of workplace outbreaks has improved. Ten Public Health Units now report at least the industry and cases associated with workplace outbreaks (though not the workplace name) and Toronto is now reporting some workplace outbreaks if deemed a risk to public safety. There is still a long way to go. The majority of workplace outbreaks are still not reported with the name of the business. Transparent and comprehensive reporting on outbreaks are necessary to not only inform the public about risks of exposure but also to pressure companies to implement safe working conditions. Public Health Units must communicate clearly about outbreak protocols to keep workers safe. 20 CBC News. All employees to be tested at Canada Post facility in Mississauga, Ont., as COVID-19 outbreak grows. January 30, 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canada-post-outbreak-all-employees- tested-1.5895033
Chart 1. Public Health Ontario’s Reported COVID-19 Outbreaks in Non-Health Care
Industries
(This chart shows the number of cumulative cases that have been traced back to an outbreak at a workplace in
Ontario as reported by Public Health Ontario, broken down by workplace type) 2122
Red entries are Industries that have increased higher than the average workplace increase.
Bold-Red entries are industries that have seen higher increases than cases in the general population.
Dec 5 Jan 2 % increase Jan 30 % increase
Congregate Care Settings
Corrections 128 276 115.63% 693 151.9%
Shelter 650 688 5.85% 1,004 45.93%
Group Home 1,082 1,465 35.40% 2,036 38.98%
Short-term Accommodations 14 14 0.00% 43 207.14%
Other 247 396 60.32% 655 65.40%
Education
Child Care 359 509 41.78% 837 64.44%
Elementary School 854 1,357 58.90% 1,852 36.48%
Elementary-Secondary 88 176 100% 194 10.23%
Secondary 269 461 71.38% 618 34.06%
Post-Secondary 19 39 105% 65 66.67%
Workplaces
Bar/Restaurant Nightclub 376 493 31.12% 584 18.46%
Personal Services 32 36 12.50% 42 16.67%
Recreational Fitness 338 428 26.63% 451 5.34%
Recreation-other 435 590 35.63% 821 39.15%
Retail 228 543 138.16% 879 61.88%
Farm 1,489 1,803 21.09% 2,294 27.23%
Food Processing 764 1,261 65.05% 1,809 43.46%
Other 2,468 4,013 62.60% 6,114 52.35%
Workplace Outbreak Total 9,840 14,548 47.85% 20,991 44.29%
General Population 128,759 193,692 50.43% 268,933 75.07%
21
Epidemiological Summary. Public Health Ontario. January 2 2020. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-
/media/documents/ncov/epi/covid-19-weekly-epi-summary-report.pdf?la=en
22
Epidemiological Summary. Public Health Ontario. January 30 2020. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-
/media/documents/ncov/epi/covid-19-weekly-epi-summary-report.pdf?la=enChart 2. COVID-19 In Education and Childcare
(This chart shows the cumulative number of cases in childcare and education settings as reported by the province
of Ontario. These cases are much higher than the cases reported by Public Health Ontario because not all of
these cases are associated with a declared outbreak.) 23
Dec 4 Dec 18 % Increase Jan 30 % increase
Education 5,402 7,292 34.98% 7,316 3.33%
Childcare 893 1,219 36.51% 2,191 79.73%
General Population 125,385 153,614 22.51% 268,933 75.07%
Cases in Education and Childcare in Ontario
8000
7000
6000
Cumulative Cases
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Dec 11
Dec 18
Dec 24
Dec 31
Sept 10
Sept 17
Sept 24
Nov 13
Nov 20
Nov 27
Dec 4
Jan 14
Jan 21
Jan 28
Jan 7
Oct 15
Oct 22
Oct 29
Oct 1
Oct 8
Nov 6
Date
Cases in Childcare Cases in Education Schools Closed
23
Government of Ontario. Cases in Childcare and Education. February 2 2021.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-cases-schools-and-child-care-centresIndustry Reporting Agriculture Summary During the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks at farms highlighted poor living conditions in bunk and farmhouses across the province. Many farms, including London-Ontario Plant Propagation, Martin Family Fruit Farms in Elgin County, Pioneer Flower Farms in Niagara region, reported large outbreaks 24 25 26. The worst outbreaks were reported at Scotlynn Group (220 cases) in Norfolk County, Greenhill Produce in Chatham Kent, and Ontario Plants Propagation of St Thomas27 28. Additionally, 2 unidentified farms in Simcoe-Muskoka and Ravine Mushroom Farm in Vaughan reported cases among workers29 30. By July of 2020, 824 workers had tested positive and three died with COVID-19 related illnesses in the Windsor- Essex and Niagara Regions31 32. Cases continued to rise in Leamington and Kingsville agricultural facilities, home to over 8000 farm workers, with 34 cases in June alone33. GreenHill Produce in Chatham Kent continued to report COVID19 outbreaks at their farms with a total of 103 workers testing positive by early July 34. Similarly, Pioneer Flower Farms in Niagara region reported additional cases in the summer for a total of 65 cases since the initial cases were reported in the spring35. 24 Drevfjall, Ludvig. A total of 60 cases of COVID-19 now found at local flower farm. Thoroldnews.com. June 4, 2020. https://www.thoroldnews.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/a-total-of-60-cases-of-covid-19-now- found-at-local-flower-farm-2410095 25 Matt, Thompson. Covid-19 outbreak among Ontario Plants Propagation migrant workers. CBC. May 31, 2020. https://london.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-outbreak-among-ontario-plants-propagation-migrant-workers-1.4960657 26 Dubinski, Kate. 40 workers at Elgin County orchard test positive for COVID-19. CBC. November 3, 2020. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/elgin-farm-covid-1.5788053 27 Update on outbreak at farm. Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit. Feb 2, 2021. https://hnhu.org/update-on- outbreak-at-farm/ 28 Ferguson, Rob. Spike in COVID-19 cases among migrant workers in southwestern Ontario. The Star. June 9, 2020. https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/06/09/spike-in-covid-19-cases-among-migrant- workers-in-southwestern-ontario.html 29 Engel, Erika. First COVID-19 'outbreaks' reported at two local farms today. Orillia Matters. June 16 2020 https://www.orilliamatters.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/first-covid-19-outbreaks-reported-at-two- local-farms-today-2440078 30 Rocco, Ryan. Coronavirus: 30 cases confirmed among workers at Vaughan mushroom farm. Global News. July 6 2020 https://globalnews.ca/news/7145069/coronavirus-vaughan-mushroom-farm- outbreak/ 31 Michelle Ruby. Mass to be held Sunday for migrant worker who died of COVID-19. The Brampton Expositor. June 25 2020 https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/mass-to-be-held-sunday-for-migrant-worker-who-died-of- covid-19 32 Ferguson, Rob. Spike in COVID-19 cases among migrant workers in southwestern Ontario. The Star. June 9 2020 https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/06/09/spike-in-covid-19-cases-among-migrant- workers-in-southwestern-ontario.html 33 Borrelli, Melanie. Leamington and Kingsville to join rest of Ontario in Stage 2 of reopening. CTV News. July 7 2020 https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/leamington-and-kingsville-to-join-rest-of-ontario-in-stage-2-of-reopening- 1.5012597 34 Malone, Mark. Colby almost shut down Kent Bridge greenhouse operation during COVID-19 outbreak. Chatham Daily News. July 2, 2020. https://www.chathamdailynews.ca/news/local-news/colby-almost-shut-down- greenhill-produce-during-outbreak 35 LaFleche Grant. Niagara public health reports first COVID-19 death in over a month. The Standard. July 10 2020. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/07/10/niagara-public-health-reports- first-covid-19-death-in-over-a-month.html
Outbreaks are continuing at agricultural facilities across Ontario into the second wave of the pandemic. By the end of August, a total of 1,170 agricultural-farm workers had tested positive in the Windsor-Essex region 36. Another 30 cases were confirmed by the end of October and 155 by December for a total of 1293 cases37. Schuyler Farms in Haldimand Norfolk and Lincoln Flower Farms in Niagara region also continued to report increases in COVID-19 cases during November 2020 38 39. By December 2020, farms in Chatham Kent region reported an increase of 21 cases since September, for a total of 259 cases between temporary migrant and other farm workers, with 3 active outbreaks at farm facilities 40 41. Update January 30, 2021 Windsor-Essex and Chatham Kent have stopped reporting on the number of cases in the agriculture industry, however there are currently 8 active outbreaks in Windsor-Essex which is a significant increase since earlier in Wave 2 of COVID-19.42 While there is extremely limited reporting both by Public Health Units and media, the number of outbreaks has increased. Farmers have also petitioned the government to make migrant workers exempt from mandatory testing before arriving in Canada, claiming that tests are too expensive in their workers’ home county.43 Food Processing Summary Outbreaks in food processing started in the beginning of May with large outbreaks at Maple Lodge Farms in Brampton44, Conestoga Meat in Kitchener45, Saputo Dairy in York46, and FGF Bakeries in Toronto47. With the exception of FGF Bakeries, these companies were relatively transparent about their outbreaks, sharing case information and updates with the public. FGF Bakeries, on the other hand, did not reveal outbreak details, and it was not discovered until June48. These outbreaks had 36 Chatham Kent Public Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://ckphu.com/current-situation-in-chatham-kent/ 37 Windsor Essex Local Cases. Windsor Essex Public Health Unit. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.wechu.org/cv/local- updates 38 Hristova, Bobby. COVID-19 infects 61 more people in Niagara, mostly from outbreak at Lincoln flower farm. CBC. November 10 2020. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/covid-19-hamilton-niagara-1.5796624 39 Update on outbreak at farm. Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit. November 10 2020 https://hnhu.org/update- outbreak-at-schuyler-farms-nov-16/ 40 Chatham Kent Public Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://ckphu.com/current-situation-in-chatham-kent/ 41 Windsor Essex Local Cases. Windsor Essex Public Health Unit. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.wechu.org/cv/local- updates 42 Windsor Public Health Unit. COVID-19 Dashboard. February 3, 2021 https://www.wechu.org/cv/local-updates 43 Jarvis, Anne. Jarvis: Local leaders warn of ‘looming crisis’ on farms. Windsor Star. January 22 2021. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/jarvis-local-leaders-warn-of-looming-crisis-on-farms 44 An update from Maple Lodge Farms’ regarding the ongoing COVID -19 Pandemic. Maple Lodge Farms. June 8 2020 https://maplelodgefarms.com/covid19-update/ 45 Anderson, Erin. Majority of COVID-19 cases at Conestoga Meats resolved: Public Health. Kitchener Today. May 22 2020 46 Kelly, Deborah. York Region COVID-19 outbreaks ‘under control’, but workplace cases rising. Newmarket Today. May 19 2020 47 Tsekousus, Phil. 180 workers at a Toronto bakery contracted COVID-19. This has prompted calls for paid sick leave in Ontario. CTV News. August 12 2020 https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/180-workers-at-a-toronto-bakery- contracted-covid-19-this-has-prompted-calls-for-paid-sick-leave-in-ontario-1.5061322 48 Tsekousus, Phil. 180 workers at a Toronto bakery contracted COVID-19. This has prompted calls for paid sick leave in Ontario. CTV News. August 12 2020 https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/180-workers-at-a-toronto-bakery- contracted-covid-19-this-has-prompted-calls-for-paid-sick-leave-in-ontario-1.5061322
rapid spread among their workplaces and had hundreds of cases associated with them as well as the tragic deaths of a worker at Saputo and a worker at FGF Bakeries. During the second wave, there was a slew of outbreaks in industrial cities starting in the middle of November and escalating through December. The majority of these outbreaks did not reveal the business names but had a significant number of cases related to them. These outbreaks were reported in Kitchener49, Waterloo50, and Brampton51. They ranged from 4-18 cases. Update January 30, 2021 Meat Processing Plants have shown a significant increase in cases since the lockdown began as they have stayed opened as an essential service. Conestoga Meats in Kitchener has experienced a second outbreak with 132 cases52. Potentially even more troubling is the outbreak at Belmont Meats in Toronto where the B117 variant has been found in 2 of their 78 cases of COVID-19 and the rest are being tested for the variant. 53 Cargill Meats in Guelph has also had a tragic outbreak with 172 cases and one death connected to the outbreak.54 There is also an unknown food processing facility outbreak in Brampton with an associated 27 cases.55 Canada Bread in Hamilton also reported an outbreak with 30 cases among their staff members.56 Social Services Summary Outbreaks in Social Services started during the first wave among congregate living settings such as refugee centres, women’s shelters, and children’s aid centres. The most tragic outbreak being at the Willowdale Welcome Centre in Toronto in the middle of May where 180 of the 200 refugees tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 24 staff members57. During the second wave of the virus there were increasing numbers of outbreaks among community and social services starting in November and escalating through December. These large outbreaks 49 Hill, Katherine. Covid-19 outbreak in Guelph’s Cargill meat packaging plant. CTV News. December 2 2020 https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-outbreak-in-guelph-s-cargill-meat-packaging-plant-1.5218390 50 Nielsen, Kevin. COVID-19 outbreaks. Global News. November 26 2020. https://globalnews.ca/news/7468144/covid-19-outbreak-kitchener-restaurant/ 51 Peel Public Health. COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks. Peel Public Health. November 18 2020 https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/case-status/ 52 Hill, Catherine. CTV News. Conestoga Meats continues operating with health measures in place as COVID-19 outbreak hits 132 cases. January 18, 2021. https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/conestoga-meats-continues-operating- with-health-measures-in-place-as-covid-19-outbreak-hits-132-cases-1.5271679 53 CBC News. COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto meat plant linked to B117 variant, city says. February 1, 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-officials-update-covid-886-february-1-1.5896069 54 Khan, Anam. Guelph Today. One of Guelph's COVID-related deaths was connected to Guelph Cargill facility. January 12, 2021. https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/one-of-guelphs-covid-related-deaths-was- connected-to-guelph-cargill-facility-3252043 55 Peel Public Health. COVID-19 Dashboard. February 3, 2021 https://www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus/case- status/ 56 Hamilton Public Health. COVID-19 Outbreaks. February 4, 2021. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status- cases-in-hamilton 57 Kopun, Francine. How a haven for refugees became home to the worst COVID-19 outbreak in Toronto’s shelter system. The Star. May 24 2020
started in Toronto58, Ottawa59, York60 and Peel but then spread to Hamilton and Niagara. These outbreaks have been significant ranging from 1 case to 11 cases per location. Update January 30, 2021 Very few Public Health Units are reporting outbreaks in social services and fewer still are reporting the names, making it difficult to differentiate between group homes and social services. However, the hotspots that do report cases, namely Hamilton, are showing significant outbreaks in social service settings like YMCA (five cases), Matthew Children’s Centre (two cases), and the Arrell Youth Detention Centre (one case). 61 There has also been an outbreak at Kinark Children and Family Residences with one case associated with the outbreak. 62 Homeless Shelters Summary During the first wave of COVID-19 homeless shelters in Toronto were devastated by the outbreaks and by early June, there has been a total of 601 cases as well as four deaths reported63. These outbreaks had a large number and percentage of cases in residents at each location. There were also smaller outbreaks at a few shelters in York64 and Ottawa65. During the second wave of COVID-19, we saw new outbreaks open in Toronto as well as outbreaks at locations that had been resolved during the first wave and by December 3rd there had been 60 new cases attached to outbreaks in Toronto66. Ottawa also saw an increase in cases early in the second 58 Ottawa Public Health. December 2 2020. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and- statistics/daily-covid19-dashboard.aspx 59 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. October 15 2020. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 60 COVID-19 update. York Public Health. November 18 2020 https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s 61 Hamilton Public Health. COVID-19 Outbreaks. February 4, 2021. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status- cases-in-hamilton 62 Outbreak Situation in York. The Regional Municipality of York. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s 63 According to Cathy Crowe (RN) in her COVID-19 Update on Facebook. June 15 2020 64 COVID-19 update. York Public Health. June 17 2020 https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s 65 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. May 19 2020. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 66 Toronto Public Health. November 2. https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/984f-Toronto- Active-Shelter-OBs-November-23-2020.pdf
wave in October67 and November68 with small outbreaks in a few of their shelters. By early December, these outbreaks had mostly been contained or resolved. Update January 30, 2021 Ottawa and Toronto have seen new outbreaks and a significant increase in cases among their homeless shelters. In Toronto, numerous sites that have had outbreaks in the first wave are experiencing second and third outbreaks. There are currently ten outbreaks totalling 66 cases among residents, the largest being the Salvation Army Maxwell House for Men with 16 cases.69 Ottawa has seen multiple outbreaks in their homeless shelters70 and boarding houses with the most devastating being at Ottawa Mission House on Waller Street. 60 residents and 8 staff members have tested positive and the shelter has been forced to close the facility.71 Hamilton has also reported an outbreak at their Salvation Army: Lawsons Ministries with seven cases associated. 72 Developmental Services Summary In the first wave, there were three congregate settings with outbreaks in the Waterloo region which were resolved by the end of June 202073. Similarly, Settler Ridge in Ottawa had an outbreak that was resolved in April 2020. Across the York region, Kelly’s Place Autism Services, L’arche Daybreak Group Home, Meta Center, New Leaf, Participation House, Reena Home, Halsey Memorial Lodge, and Vita Community Living all had outbreaks during the first wave74 . Other congregate settings with outbreaks included Bairn Croft Residential Services and Welcome House in Ottawa, Access Independent Living 67 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. October 15 2020. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 68 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. November 18 2020. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 69 Draaisma, Muriel. CBC News. Toronto reports 10 COVID-19 outbreaks at shelters, says rise in number of cases 'not unexpected'. January 27 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/shelter-outbreaks-toronto-ten- city-response-support-advice-1.5891057 70 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. February 2 2021. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 71 CBC News. Ottawa Mission pauses intakes due to COVID-19 outbreak. January 29 2021. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-mission-homeless-shelter-covid19-outbreak-1.5892260 72 Hamilton Public Health. COVID-19 Outbreaks. February 4, 2021. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status- cases-in-hamilton 73 Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary. Region of Waterloo. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/positive-cases-in-waterloo-region.aspx 74 Outbreak Situation in York. The Regional Municipality of York. Feb 2 2021. https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s
Services in Toronto, Bethesda Community Services Inc. in Niagara, Milieux de vie a L’Érablière in Eastern Ontario, and Wesley Supportive Housing in Hamilton75 76 77 78 79 80 Bairn Croft Residential in Ottawa continued to experience outbreaks throughout the second wave of the pandemic with outbreaks at two of its locations81. Also, in Ottawa, Christian Homes Residential Services, Tamir Foundation, Walk of Grace Residential, and Riverview Department Services had outbreaks82. Several unidentified congregate living homes in the Waterloo region experienced outbreaks in the second wave with over 40 cases combined83. Participation House, Vita Community Living, New Leaf, and Reena Homes in the York region had outbreaks in both the first and second waves84. Several other homes in the same region: Aptus Treatment Centers, Loft Community Care Settings, Long Staff, Safehaven Woodbridge and Southdown Institute reported COVID-19 positive cases at their facilities. Chatham Kent Public Health reported outbreaks in group home settings with both employees and residents testing positive for COVID-1985. Rygiel Supports for Community Living in Hamilton reported a positive case in their facilities in December 202086. Update January 30, 2021 Developmental services have seen a significant increase in both outbreaks and cases in all of the Public Health Units that report cases. Ottawa has nine outbreaks in Group Homes but does not disclose the names of the facilities. The worst outbreak being a supported independent living facility that has had 37 residents and seven staff members contract COVID-19.87 Hamilton has reported three current outbreaks in developmental homes with the largest being Christian Horizons with 11 cases. 88 75 Mitchell, Don. Hamilton has 460 COVID-19 cases, outbreak at Wesley Supportive Housing over. Global News. May 5 2020. https://globalnews.ca/news/6907734/hamilton-coronavirus-update-may-5/ 76 Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Feb 2 2021. https://eohu.ca/en/section/covid-19-updates 77 Knox, Shelby. Two Covid-19 Outbreaks End at Niagara Facilities. IHeartRadio. May 5 2020. https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/news/two-covid-19-outbreaks-end-at-niagara-facilities-1.12327470 78 Sunnyside Supportive Housing setting. Ottawa Public Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/sunnyside-supportive-housing.aspx?_mid_=25575 79 Aguilar, Bryan. Fifth Ontario personal support worker dies after contracting COVID-19. Toronto CTV News. May 7 2020. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/fifth-ontario-personal-support-worker-dies-after-contracting-covid-19- 1.4930176 80 Mitchell, Don. Hamilton has 460 COVID-19 cases, outbreak at Wesley Supportive Housing over. Global News. May 5 2020. https://globalnews.ca/news/6907734/hamilton-coronavirus-update-may-5/ 81 Sunnyside Supportive Housing setting. Ottawa Public Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/sunnyside-supportive-housing.aspx?_mid_=25575 82 Ottawa Public Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and- statistics/daily-covid19-dashboard.aspx. 83 Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary. Region of Waterloo. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/positive-cases-in-waterloo-region.aspx 84 Outbreak Situation in York. The Regional Municipality of York. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s 85 COVID-19 update. Chatham-Kent Health. Feb 2, 2021. https://ckphu.com/current-situation-in-chatham-kent/ 86 Status of Cases in Hamilton: Dashboard. City of Hamilton. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status-cases-in-hamilton 87 Detailed Summary of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Ottawa Institutions. Ottawa Public Health. February 2 2021. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-research-and-statistics/resources/Documents/covid- 19/May20/outbreak_tables_2020-05-19_RHHO_ENtyu.pdf 88 Hamilton Public Health. COVID-19 Outbreaks. February 4, 2021. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status- cases-in-hamilton
York has six active outbreaks in developmental services with the largest being March of Dimes with 16 cases associated with the outbreak. 89 Childcare Centres and Schools Summary During the first wave of the virus most schools were closed and reopened on September 10, cases in childcare centres and summer camps showed a significant increase throughout the summer and as summer programs and camps opened up there were significant cases reported in Toronto. As of September 10, schools reopened, and outbreaks were only declared if there was more than one case with a known epi-link. Only if an outbreak was declared would testing and isolation necessarily be implemented. Immediately after opening schools, Toronto and Ottawa reported cases, usually only numbering 1-3 per school but growing rapidly, almost doubling in total numbers every two weeks. This continued and outbreaks and cases were declared from Ottawa, Toronto, Peel, and York and spread into Hamilton, Windsor-Essex, Chatham Kent and Durham. Large outbreaks at Thorncliffe Public School in Toronto and Frank W. Begley in Windsor-Essex, indicated that there may have been more cases in schools than reported. Thorncliffe Public School was a part of a provincial program offering voluntary on-site testing at schools in high positivity areas. After the program was implemented, there were 26 cases discovered with each of the school’s 18 classes having one or two positive cases.90 After declaring an outbreak at Frank W. Begley, the number of positive cases increased significantly as the school was tested and 45 cases were associated with the outbreak. 91 Update January 30, 2021 Cases in primary and secondary schools rose significantly from the beginning of December until they closed on December 18, rising far above the spread reported in the general public. Since closing, no new cases were reported until January 10th when schools in Northern Ontario reopened. However, since reopening on January 10th, there have been four outbreaks in schools in Sudbury. Among the largest is an outbreak at St Charles College with 22 cases associated92, St David’s Catholic Elementary School with 13 cases93 and three cases associated with an outbreak at Pius XII Catholic School.94 Schools in Southern Ontario that were not in hot spots, have reopened as of January 25th and there has been a small uptake in cases since then. 89 Outbreak Situation in York. The Regional Municipality of York. Feb 2, 2021. https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijYxMzDwMnQ28DDz 8LQw83cwDTF0sPAwNvI30wwkpiAJKG- AAjgZA_VGElBTkRhikOyoqAgC__eMj/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.XsYQ6hNKh0s 90 Alphonso, Caroline. Toronto school closes after COVID-19 testing blitz uncovers more than two dozen cases Globe and Mail. December 3 2020 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-students-self- isolating-after-more-positive-covid-19-tests-at/ 91 Borelli, Melanie. Begley school to welcome back students this week after COVID-19 outbreak. CTV News. December 7 2020. https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/begley-school-to-welcome-back-students-this-week-after-covid- 19-outbreak-1.5219919 92 Papineau, Chelsea. CTV News. COVID outbreak declared Sudbury high school, fourth school outbreak January 27, 2021. https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/covid-outbreak-declared-sudbury-high-school-fourth- school-outbreak-1.5284082 93 13 cases reported: Public Health advising entire St. David school community to get COVID-19 tests. Sudbury.com. January 22 2021. https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/13-cases-reported-public-health- advising-entire-st-david-school-community-to-get-covid-19-tests-3285681 94 Papineau, Chelsea. COVID outbreak at another Sudbury elementary school. CTV News. January 25 2021. https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/covid-outbreak-at-another-sudbury-elementary-school-1.5280689
Cases among university students has continued to rise despite all universities besides Redeemer
College, switching to remote learning. Outbreaks seem to be coming from residence areas and parties
happening in off-campus living. Some of the hardest hit universities since December 5th are:
• Guelph University (49 cases in residence outbreak)
• McMaster University (8 student and 2 employee cases)
• Brock University (2 cases)
• University of Toronto (80 cases across all three campuses)
• York University (8 cases)
• Ryerson University (reported 17 cases to date)
• Queen’s University (5 cases and dozens of cases linked to outbreaks at house parties in off
campus house)
• University of Windsor (6 cases)
• Redeemer University (5 cases)95
Cases in childcare settings have continued to increase at a steady rate despite the provincial
lockdown, rising from 1,348 on Dec 24 to 2,191 on Jan 29.96
Retail
Summary
We began tracking outbreaks in retail stores in June and at the time there was very limited reporting
of outbreaks. Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro were reporting cases in their locations 97 98 99. In early
summer most outbreaks were limited to one or two cases per store and were focused primarily in the
Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. The exception being locations that were a part of a mall or their
distributions centres. Distributions centres experienced long outbreaks that were very slow to get
resolved and continually experience new cases100 101.
In the summer, reporting cases improved and some Public Health Units and media were beginning to
report more outbreaks in retail settings. Outbreaks began to spread out of the GTA and Ottawa into
Hamilton and Durham and surrounding cities. There were also more outbreaks in malls, gyms,
department stores and salons as businesses opened up. Some of the most noteworthy were a nail
salon in Kingston and Spin Co. in Hamilton, which showed how much potential for spread outbreaks
could have as the outbreaks spread from clientele to their families. 102 103.
95
University Affairs. COVID-19 Update. February 3, 2021. https://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-
article/covid-19-updates-for-december-2020/
96
Government of Ontario. COVID-19 in Education and Childcare. February 3, 2021.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-cases-schools-and-child-care-centres
97
COVID-19. Loblaws Companies Limited. Feb 3, 2021. https://www.loblaw.ca/en/covid19.html
98
Sobey’s COVID-19 Tracker. Sobeys.com Feb 3, 2021 https://corporate.sobeys.com/covid-19-cases-stores/
99
Metro COVID-19 Tracker. Metro. Feb 3, 2021. https://corpo.metro.ca/en/archives-cases-covid-on/august-
on.html
100
Metro COVID-19 Tracker. Metro. Feb 2, 2021. https://corpo.metro.ca/en/archives-cases-covid-on/august-
on.html
101
Peel Public Health. COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks
Peel Public Health . Feb 3, 2021. https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/case-status/
102
25 confirmed COVID-19 cases now linked to Kingston, Ont., nail salon.
CBC News. June 29 2020. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kingston-ontatio-salon-covid19-outbreak-
1.5631049
103
Taekemo, Dan, 4 new COVID-19 outbreaks declared in Hamilton, including at ArcelorMittal and Foot Locker.
CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/covid19-hamilton-arcelormittal-foot-locker-1.5770979During the second wave, there was a huge increase in cases among retail shops that experienced
more public interaction, i.e., grocery stores, pharmacies, fast food, and restaurants as more outbreaks
were declared across the province, spreading into the north and into small towns and rural areas. In
COVID-19 hot spots, these outbreaks grew to include multiple cases in each location. Distribution
centres in the Peel regions had extended long outbreaks with 100’s of cases in their workplaces that
are ongoing and have been open for months. While these outbreaks are not named by the Public
Health Unit, there are sources who have stated that Amazon’s multiple distribution centres have had
large outbreaks and workers have stated that the performance demands and attendance policy have
made it impossible to socially distance and isolate/stay home when symptomatic.104
Update January 30, 2021
All large grocery chains continue to report significant case loads in their stores. During the month of
December, they were reporting approximately 3-5 cases a day and in January that seems to have
reduced to approximately 3-4 cases reported per day by Metro105, Sobeys106 and Loblaws107. These
cases are throughout the province but are heavily centered in the GTA with significant cases in
secondary hot spots, i.e., Windsor-Essex, Halton, Hamilton, Durham. There are also cases reported in
smaller towns with lower positivity rates like Caledonia and Keswick. It is unclear if these cases are
associated with declared outbreaks or if they are individual cases without an outbreak. Big box stores
have been allowed to remain open and have seen significant outbreaks like the outbreak at Walmart
in Alliston with four staff members contracting COVID-19.108 By January 29 the province had
inspected more than 1,000 stores and issued just over 110 tickets for violations including improper
PPE, lack of social distancing and no safety plans in place.109 Among those tickets were several large
chain stores like Walmart and Shopper’s which had 5 locations fined each as well as Costco which had
one.110
Manufacturing
Summary
Early on in the pandemic, manufacturing saw outbreaks at Mondelez in Hamilton111, a window
covering manufacturer in Vaughan112, and a mine in Northern Ontario where 25 workers tested
104
Blackwell, Tom. National Post. 'Working conditions are hell': Amazon employees not surprised its warehouses
have seen hundreds of COVID cases December 23, 2020. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/working-
conditions-are-hell-amazon-employees-not-surprised-its-warehouses-have-seen-hundreds-of-covid-cases
105
Metro COVID-19 Tracker. Metro. Feb 3, 2021. https://corpo.metro.ca/en/archives-cases-covid-on/august-
on.html
106
Sobey’s COVID-19 Tracker. Sobeys.com Feb 3, 2021 https://corporate.sobeys.com/covid-19-cases-stores/
107
COVID-19. Loblaws Companies Limited. Feb 3, 2021. https://www.loblaw.ca/en/covid19.html
108
Phillips, Kim. CTV News. Four Walmart associates test positive for COVID-19 in Alliston.
https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/four-walmart-associates-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-alliston-1.5268994
109
Declerq, Katherine. CTV News. January 29 2021, More than 110 tickets issued to Ontario businesses in
connection with COVID-19 violations. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/more-than-110-tickets-issued-to-ontario-
businesses-in-connection-with-covid-19-violations-1.5287844
110
Neufield, Abby. Narcity. January 20 2021. https://www.narcity.com/en-ca/news/toronto/ontarios-covid19-
enforcement-blitz-fined-walmart-costco-shoppers-drug-mart-stores
111
Murphy, James. Hamilton candy factory shuts down due to 4th COVID-19 case. CHCH. May 5, 2020
https://www.chch.com/hamilton-candy-factory-shuts-down-due-to-4th-covid-19-case/
112
Zarzour, Kim. Almost 50 workers at 3 Vaughan companies test positive for coronavirus
York Region. May 21 2020. https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/9993759-almost-50-workers-at-3-
vaughan-companies-test-positive-for-coronavirus/positive and one worker passed away113; which also allowed the virus to spread to local First Nation
communities114. During the summer, new outbreaks were reported in manufacturing facilities in
Windsor115 and Waterloo116.
During the second wave of the virus, there was a large increase in manufacturing outbreaks
predominately in Peel117 but also outbreaks spread throughout the province in smaller towns far from
hotspots, like Belleville118 and Port Hope. 119 An outbreak was also declared at a chemical tanker in
Sarnia Lambton which, tragically, resulted in the death of one of their crew members. 120
Update January 30, 2021
Small outbreaks in manufacturing are widespread throughout the province and continue to grow and
spread. Currently there are 13 active outbreaks in Peel with a total of 144 cases between them.
Manufacturing in Peel currently accounts for 39.2% of their workplace outbreaks. 121 All of the hotspot
areas that report outbreaks in workplaces are reporting outbreaks in Manufacturing.
Corrections and Law Enforcement
Summary
Outbreaks in detention centres occurred early in pandemic in April with large outbreaks at the
Ontario Correction Institute in Brampton where half of 120 inmates tested positive for COVID-19 as
well as eight staff members 122. There were also smaller outbreaks in Toronto, Hamilton, and Iroquois
Falls 123 124. Outbreaks continued through the summer where new inmates entering correction
113
Alex, Cathy. 'Terrible sadness': Company confirms 25 COVID-19 cases, including 1 death, connected to Lac des
Iles mine CBC. April 28 2020 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/lac-des-iles-25-cases-
one-1.5546898
114 Friedman Gabriel. Mining industry accused of spreading COVID-19 in remote communities by new report.
Financial Post. June 2, 2020 https://financialpost.com/commodities/mining/new-report-takes-aim-at-mining-
sector-for-role-in-pandemic
115
Kotsis, Julie. New COVID-19 outbreak at Leamington manufacturing plant. The Windsor Star. July 6 2020
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/covid-19-update
116
Nielsen, Kevin. 17 new coronavirus cases in Waterloo Region as total cases rise to 1,130.
Global News. June 2 2020 https://globalnews.ca/news/7016005/coronavirus-cases-waterloo-june-2-covid19/
117
Peel Public Health. COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks
Peel Public Health December 2 2020 https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/case-status/
118
. Confirmed outbreak at Proctor and Gamble
Global News December 1 2020 https://globalnews.ca/news/7495254/coronavirus-procter-gamble-covid-19-
outbreak-update-belleville/
119
Davis, Greg. Covid-19 outbreak Cameco Port Hope
Global News. November 24 2020. https://globalnews.ca/news/7490172/covid-19-outbreak-cameco-port-hope/
120
Bridge, Terry. Canada’s first COVID-19 casualty in the shipping industry docked in Sarnia
The Observer. November 5 2020 https://www.theobserver.ca/news/local-news/cook-taken-from-ship-in-sarnia-
dies-from-covid-19-reports
121
Peel Public Health. COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks
Peel Public Health . Feb 3, 2021. https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/case-status/
122
Hasham, Alyshah. Eight staff, 60 inmates test positive for COVID-19 at Brampton jail. Inmates transferred to
Toronto South Detention Centre. The Star. April 20 2020. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/20/68-
test-positive-for-covid-19-in-outbreak-at-brampton-jail-inmates-being-transferred-to-toronto-south-detention-
centre.html
123
More than 2,000 inmates released, 6 COVID-19 cases confirmed inside Ontario jails. CBC News. April 9 2020.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-jails-coronavirus-
1.5527677#:~:text=Toronto-,More%20than%202%2C000%20inmates%20released%2C%206%20COVID%2D19%
20cases%20confirmed,COVID%2D19%20inside%20correctional%20facilities.
124Gillis, Wendy. Eleven Toronto police employees have tested positive for coronavirus.facilities were found to be positive and, in most cases, spread to a few inmates and staff before being
resolved. These outbreaks ranged from one to eight cases and were located in Elgin Middle-Sex,
Ottawa, Grand-Valley, and Kingston125 126 127 128. The outbreak at the Ontario Correction Institute
continued to grow to 91 inmates and 25 staff members and ultimately, they had to close the facility
129
.
From September to the beginning of December, there were only a few reported outbreaks in
detention centres with only Toronto South and East Detention, Toronto Police, Ottawa Detention
Centre, and Elgin-Middlesex Detention centre reporting new cases in their staff and inmates 130 131 132
133
.
Update January 30, 2021
Large outbreaks have been declared at detention centres across Ontario in both December and
January. Thunder Bay Correction Centre and Thunder Bay Jail have both had large outbreaks among
inmates and staff with the correction centre having 58 cases and the jail having 28 cases. Some
inmates have since been transferred to Toronto South Detention Centre. Toronto South Detention
Centre had an outbreak in December with 77 cases among their inmates. Since the transfer, there
has been a second outbreak declared with 27 cases associated. There have also been outbreaks in
London at the Elgin- Middle-Sex Detention Centre with 32 cases, three cases at Ottawa-Carleton
Detention Centre, and one case at Toronto East, Sarnia Jail and Central North Correctional Facility.134
Toronto.com. April 9 2020 https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9938483-eleven-toronto-police-employees-
have-tested-positive-for-coronavirus/
125
Craggs, Samantha. Still just 1 case of COVID-19 at the Barton jail, and 6 more in all of Hamilton.
CBC News. May 7 2020. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/covid-19-1.5559976.
126
Ismail, Reta. Confirmed case of COVID-19 among inmates at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre.
CTV News. June 11 2020. https://london.ctvnews.ca/confirmed-case-of-covid-19-among-inmates-at-elgin-
middlesex-detention-centre-1.4980088?cache=yes%3Fclipid%3D104056%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue
127
Raymond, Ted. Inmate at Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre tests positive for COVID-19.
CTV News. August 3 2020. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/inmate-at-ottawa-carleton-detention-centre-tests-
positive-for-covid-19-1.5049553
128
MacAlpine, Ian. Two CSC staff members test positive for COVID-19.
Whig Standard. June 26 2020. https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/two-csc-staff-members-test-
positive-for-covid-19
129
Martin Robbins. Outbreak over at Brampton jail where 91 inmates, 25 staff contracted COVID-19
. Brampton Guardian. June 16 2020. https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/10024060-outbreak-
over-at-brampton-jail-where-91-inmates-25-staff-contracted-covid-19/
130
Richmond, Randy. EMDC inmate tests positive for COVID-19.
Strathroy Dispatch. October 21 2020. https://www.strathroyagedispatch.com/news/local-news/emdc-inmate-
tests-positive-for-covid-19/wcm/d36e0982-1d77-40d1-8d6c-727c00029a16?video_autoplay=true
131
COVID-19 Update. Ottawa Public Health. Feb 3, 2021. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/reports-
research-and-statistics/daily-covid19-dashboard.aspx
132
Hasham, Alyshah. Toronto East Detention Centre prisoners launch hunger strike to protest frequent
lockdowns, harsh conditions Our Windsor. October 5 2020. https://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/10218824-
toronto-east-detention-centre-prisoners-launch-hunger-strike-to-protest-frequent-lockdowns-harsh-
conditions/
133
Inmate at Toronto East Detention Centre tests positive for COVID-19. Toronto City News. September 2 2020.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/09/02/inmate-toronto-east-detention-centre-covid19/
134
Hasham, Alyshah. The Standard. Five Ontario jails have significant COVID-19 outbreaks. Toronto
South Detention Centre outbreak grows to 27 active cases. Friday January 29 2021
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/gta/2021/01/29/five-ontario-jails-have-significant-
covid-19-outbreaks-toronto-south-detention-centre-outbreak-grows-to-27-active-cases.htmlYou can also read
